Best Time To Travel
An all year round safari destination where the variation in experience is temperature related rather than safari as we do not have any migratory species. The best bird-watching period is from October to April.

Location
In the central eastern region of the richly diverse and malaria-free 76 000-hectare (187 800 acre) Madikwe Game Reserve, North West Province, South Africa, bordering Botswana. The area is well known for providing the best game viewing within the Reserve, as well as having the lowest concentration of safari vehicles which makes for a superior game viewing experience. GPS: 24°43’.22.68” S / 26°23’.16.67” E

Activities
Morning and evening game drives in open safari vehicles; bush walks; bird watching; astronomy; ecology house & local community village tour; bush breakfasts and dinners; boma dinners; health spa; children’s activities.

Families On Safari
Children of all ages are welcome at Madikwe Safari Lodge’s Lelapa Lodge. There are many activities available for children including: Family safari drives, bush orientation, bug CSI, dung tracking, track pack with plaster of Paris, baking in the kitchen, making pizzas in the boma, star gazing, games night and much more. Children between the ages of zero and five years stay free of charge and children aged six to fifteen pay 50% of the per person adult rate. Unfortunately no game drives are allowed for children under the age of two years and children between the ages of two and five are only allowed on the late morning family safari drive. The family safari drive for children aged two to five departs at 11:00 in winter and 10:00 in summer and lasts approximately two hours.

Rates
Rates include: Luxury accommodation, all meals, teas/coffees, all local beverages (including soft drinks, local brand beers, spirits and house wines), two game drives daily, game drive refreshments and snacks, transfer to and from Madikwe airstrip, and specified safari activities.

Rates exclude: Laundry; premium brand or imported beers, spirits, cellar wines and champagnes; cigars and cigarettes; transfers not specified; gratuities; telephone; curio shop purchases; spa treatments; Madikwe Game Reserve landing fees; Madikwe Game Reserve entrance/conservation fee; and activities not included.

Weather
The climate is typified by hot wet summers (September to April) and cool dry winters (May to August). Temperatures average around 25°C (77°F) but can get very hot during heat waves in mid-summer and extremely cold at night in mid-winter. The region is classed as a semi-arid region, rainfall amounts to about 500 mm (19.5 inches) per year, with most of this falling in short, sharp thunderstorms in the late afternoons or night, between November and March. Mean average temperatures – Summer: 25°C (77°F) to 40°C (104°F); Winter: 3°C (38°F) to 23°C (73°F).

Access
Federal Air operates a daily flight from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JIA) to Madikwe airfield, departing at 12h00 and returning at 13h30. The airfield is 10 minutesdrive from the Lodge.

Gaborone, Botswana is 2 hours from Madikwe Safari Lodge. If you are either coming from or going on safari in Botswana, transfers can be arranged.

The driving time from Johannesburg is approximately 4 to 4.5 hours and there are two different routes to consider. O.R. Tambo International Airport (JIA) to Madikwe Safari Lodge via Abjaterskop Gate - Note: this route is recommended if you prefer to travel a shorter distance on a gravel road bearing in mind neither routing requires a 4x4 vehicle.

O.R. Tambo International Airport (JIA) to Madikwe Safari Lodge via Molatedi Gate (Sun City) - Note: this route is recommended if you do not mind travelling 50 kilometers/30 miles on a gravel road or if you are coming from or going to Sun City. This is a shorter route in distance, does not require a 4x4 vehicle and is more scenic.

Our reservations can send you detailed information on both flight and self-drive access.

Suggested Daily Programme